This Poet's Thank You Poem by Susan Lacovara

They came from all corners
A rainbow collection of friends
To tutor my heart
In the lessons of healing
Of hoping
Of believing
Of hanging on
and getting through the frost of winter

They did not turn away
They turned me inward
and gave me strength
Their gentle compassionate hands
wiped the tears from my eyes
and pointed to days
with prettier skies

Like the rooms full of troubles souls
Speaking their names aloud
and telling their truths
I stood before you
broken and begging
And you came to rescue me from my sorrow

Making me mindful that all poets suffer
While reminding me of the coming dawn
How do I repay those kindnesses?
How can I speak of your worth?

It was you, my friends, my community
of careful and caring cheerleaders
That lifted me
That carried me
That placed me back
in a place of purpose
What greater a gift?

Throughout my pain you were all present
And gave me the presents of your wisdom
Your experiences, a common thread
for the woven tapestry of concern
It kept me warm and allowed for rest

Winter washes away now
And my love has returned with apologetic eyes
I welcome him home, as it is best to do
We break bread instead of promises
And I tell him of the many
who pulled me to shore

I could not have made it from the currents
Had you not thrown me the lifeline
Dear and wonderful poets...
who refused to let me drown
in the sorrowful sea of heartbreak

It is wonderful to be back in the sunlight...
It was you, my friends,
Kept me strongly swimming

PEACE UPON YOU